In the summer of 1996, when MSNBC.com was only a few months old, we launched our first "citizen journalism" project: Delegate diaries from the Democratic and Republican conventions gave readers an inside look at politics from the floor, instead of just the press box. In the decade since, we have embraced the Internet's unique ability to open up the conversation to many voices and to make journalism a more participatory experience.
Now we are launching a new feature, FirstPerson, to make it even easier for you to share your stories, photos and video. Content you send in may be published online, and in some cases could be featured on NBC News and MSNBC-TV programs.
In the coming months, you will see the FirstPerson logo show up throughout the site, seeking your input and contributions on stories both serious and light-hearted. You will also be able to quickly scan through FirstPerson submission requests from throughout the site at http://firstperson.msnbc.com.
See FirstPerson content from other readers you like? We invite you to vote for your favorite reader-submitted photos and video, and will let you know which ones the editors liked as well.
We believe good journalism, no matter the topic, should seek to broaden the marketplace of ideas, deepen comprehension of the world around us and foster community.
Come join us.
Jennifer Sizemore
Editor in chief, MSNBC.com